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red-light Running (Long Verion)

This is an approximately 1-hour presentation on the topic of red-light running (RLR). Topics covered include:

Nature of the problem

Definitions of RLR

Safety facts about RLR

Crash types associated with RLR

Documents available on intersection safety and RLR

Countermeasures for RLR problems

slide 2

Traffic Signals

There are at least 3 million intersections in the United States.

At least 300,000 are signalized.

speaker notes:

Major Points to Make:

These are very gross estimates. There is no nation-wide inventory of traffic signals. The point to make is that roughly 10% (but likely even less) of the intersections in the United States are signalized.

slide 3

Intersection Fatalities

There were 8,657 intersection fatalities in 2007.

speaker notes:

Major Points to Make:

Even though signalized intersections make up only 10% of intersections in the U.S., signalized intersections account for nearly a third of the fatalities that occur at intersections.

Source: FARS database, crashes classified as either "intersection" or "intersection-related"

slide 4

What is red-light Running?

Permissive yellow rule:

Driver can legally enter intersection during entire yellow interval

Violation occurs if driver enters intersection after onset of red

Restrictive yellow rule:

Driver can neither enter nor be in intersection on red

Violation occurs if driver has not cleared intersection after onset of red

speaker notes:

Major Points to Make:

Discussion opportunity. Ask the question before revealing the rest of the slide. Builds on one click.

Question: What is red-light Running?

Answer: Depends on the definition of what a yellow light means.

The permissive yellow rule is that stated in the MUTCD and Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC).

37 states + DC have laws in substantial conformity with the meaning of the yellow and red indications in the MUTCD and UVC. Another 9 states require motorists to stop on yellow but also drive cautiously through the intersection on the red if too close to stop safely.

The definition of a violation for permissive yellow is not technically correct depending how the term "intersection" is defined. According to the MUTCD and UVC, a violation occurs if the motorists crosses the stop line after onset of the red, or if none, the crosswalk, or if none the intersection.

Four states—LA, TN, RI, WV—prohibit vehicles from crossing the intersection on red. The laws in these four states are not in conformity with the meaning of the yellow and red indications specified in the MUTCD.

slide 5

Intersection Definition

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

A driver is running a red-light if his or her vehicle enters the red shaded area, after the light turns red. According to the MUTCD, the boundary for a red-light violation begins at the marked stop line. If there is no stop line, then the boundary begins at the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no crosswalk or stop line, the intersection begins at the extension of the curb line or roadway edge.

Some states are using the extension of the curb line to mark the boundary for red-light running regardless of whether there are stop lines or crosswalk. This practice is not consistent with the meaning of the red signal in the MUTCD.

Safety Facts About Red-Light Running

This graph shows the latest data available on red-light running crashes.

This data is estimated from federal crash data.

Crash data does not specifically isolate red-light running as a causal factor in a crash.

There appears to be a general trend downward in red-light running crashes for the data shown.

slide 8

Safety Facts About Red-Light Running

Red-light running crashes are more likely than other crashes to cause injury

On urban roads, fatal RLR crashes are more likely than other fatal crashes

Fatal RLR crashes are somewhat more likely to occur during the day

Source: Prevalence and Characteristics of red-light Running Crashes in the United States, Accident Analysis and Prevention, 1999

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

red-light running crashes have some characteristics that may not necessarily be true for other types of crashes.

This may seem obvious, but they happen at very specific locations (intersections with signals) as opposed to, say, rural run-off road crashes that can occur in an "infinite" number of locations.

slide 9

Types of Crashes

speaker notes:

Major Points to Make:

These are the three most common types of crashes associated with red-light running.

However, these types of crashes are not exclusively related to red-light running. Therefore, when investigating the causal factors of crashes, it is always important to review the police reports to determine what may have caused the crash.

Depending on the crash type and causal factor(s), different countermeasures may be applicable.

slide 10

Red-Light Running Studies

4% of Americans reported running red-lights

1% run them "often"

3% run them "sometimes"

97% of drivers feel that other drivers running red-lights are a major safety threat

1 in 3 people claim they personally know someone injured or killed in a red-light running crash

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

A lot of research has been done in recent years focusing on red-light running.

Types of Red-Light Runners

In general engineering countermeasures should help address the unintentional violations and enforcement countermeasures should help address the intentional violations.

slide 12

Effective Programs

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

This is probably the most important slide of the whole presentation.

To truly be successful in combating a red-light running problem, a holistic (comprehensive) approach must be taken.

To just focus on one aspect is not a good approach and will likely fail.

However, it should be mentioned that looking at "engineering" countermeasures should always be a step taken before increased enforcement. The point is that there should be a plan that takes into account all three aspects.

slide 13

Possible Causes and Countermeasures

Possible Cause of RLR

Engineering

Enforcement

Education

Did not see signal

Tried to beat yellow

Reported they had green

Intentional violation

Unable to stop vehicle

Followed another vehicle

Confused by signal

= Likely countermeasure.=
Possible countermeasure.

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

Research has shown that there are many causes for running red-lights. This table illustrates some of them and the primary countermeasure technique that could be applied.

slide 14

The First Step

The first step to addressing red-light running is to conduct a thorough
field review.

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

This is the first step to addressing a concern at a particular intersection. The step before this would be to identify intersections that are candidates for reducing red-light running. There are numerous methods for identifying candidate locations that are not addressed in this presentation. This type of analysis will be dependent on crash data that the local jurisdiction has access to.

The engineer responsible for the intersection should always conduct a thorough on-site review of the intersection prior to the jurisdiction increasing enforcement.

Intersection Safety Resources

NCHRP Report 500 Volume 12

Guide sheets

Safety Strategies brochure

Signalized Intersections: Informational Guide

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

FHWA has numerous resources available to help traffic and transportation engineers analyze intersections from a safety viewpoint. The documents shown in the slide are just examples (there are plenty more).

Web sites will be shown at the end of the presentation.

Many are free to download from the Internet.

slide 16

Red-Light Running Resources

red-light Camera Systems: Operational Guidelines

Making Intersections Safer: A Toolbox...

Field Guide for Inspecting Signalized Intersections...

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

FHWA has numerous resources available to help traffic and transportation engineers analyze intersections from a safety viewpoint. The documents shown in the slide are just examples (there are plenty more).

Web sites will be shown at the end of the presentation.

These are downloadable in HTML and PDF formats.

slide 17

Engineering Countermeasures

Improve signal visibility

Improve line of sight

Improve signal conspicuity

Increase likelihood of stopping

Improve signal timing

Eliminate the need to stop

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

Each of these 6 bullet points will be discussed in more details on the following slides.

The following countermeasure slides are only examples of engineering countermeasures and are not meant to be all-inclusive.

slide 18

Improve Signal Visibility

Install one signal face per approaching lane.

Use 12-inch lenses.

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

Prior to the advent of LED signal heads, this countermeasure would have significantly increased the power consumption requirements for the traffic signal.

Using the larger 12-inch lenses also will improve signal conspicuity. Proposed language for the new edition of the MUTCD says that 12-inch lenses SHALL be used for all new signal installations.

Improve Line of Sight

Programmable lens signals (although some styles do not work as well with LED signals and should be used with caution)

Visors

Louvers

slide 21

Improve Signal Conspicuity

Use backplates to increase target value of signal heads.

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

One of the most inexpensive treatments that can have an affect on signal visibility/conspicuity.

In the photo on the right, the signals in the foreground do not have backplates installed while the signals in the background do have them.

Crash Reduction Factors:

All severities (13%); All severities – right angle (50%)

slide 22

Improve Signal Conspicuity

Install LED indications

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

There are still some issues to be addressed with LED signals since they are still relatively new such as life cycle, degradation, and failure modes. However, there is no doubt that a properly functioning LED signal face is brighter and more conspicuous than a standard incandescent bulb.

The 2005 Energy Policy Act has outlawed manufacture and sale of incandescent signals, so at some point agencies will have to convert to LEDs. They should consider doing it sooner rather than later, not just for the energy savings but also for the signal conspicuity benefits.

slide 23

Improve Signal Conspicuity

Use double red indications for special cases.

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

Double-red indications are especially helpful on approaches with horizontal curves (which is the case for the photo on the left).

Also helpful for first signalized intersection after long stretch of intersections or roadway without any signals.

Crash Reduction Factors:

All severities (9%); All severities – right angle (36%)

slide 24

Increase Likelihood of Stopping

Use signal ahead signs to warn motorists of upcoming traffic control.

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

Advance warning is useful where sufficient decision sight distance is not available.

Doubling up (one on each side) can also be useful, especially on divided multi-lane approaches to a signalized intersection.

Increase Likelihood of Stopping

First signalized intersection after long stretch without signals (e.g.
transition from rural to urban)

Heavy truck traffic (possibly used in conjunction with a dilemma zone
protection system)

Crash Reduction Factors:

All severities (27%); All severities – right angle (62%); All severities
– rear end (36%)

Improving the friction characteristics of pavements can also help increase
the likelihood of stopping.

Crash reduction factor: All severities (25%)

slide 26

Increase Likelihood of Stopping

Increase pavement friction.

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

Improving the friction characteristics of pavements can also help increase the likelihood of stopping.

Crash reduction factor: All severities (25%)

slide 27

Improve Signal Timing

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

Traffic engineers should make sure that yellow change interval is set properly. This step is covered in the field review checklist that was presented in an earlier slide.

Research shows that yellow interval duration is a significant factor affecting the frequency of red-light running and that increasing yellow time to meet the needs of traffic can dramatically reduce red-light running.

When yellow intervals are set too short for the prevailing speed, there is likely to be a higher incidence of red-light running due to drivers being caught in the dilemma zone.

Crash Reduction Factors:

All severities (8%), Fatal/injury (12%)

slide 28

Improve Signal Timing

Equation for determining adequate yellow time.

Y = yellow duration in seconds

t = reaction time = 1 s

V85 = 85th percentile speed in mi/h

d = deceleration=10ft/s2

G = grade in ft/ft

g = acceleration due to gravity = 32.2ft/s2

speaker notes:

Major points:

This equation for calculating the minimum yellow interval duration was proposed by Technical Committee 4A-16 of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and is recommended in the Traffic Control Devices Handbook and recent FHWA safety guidance

It allows normal motorists enough time to reach the intersection before the light turns red if they are too close to safely stop

If the approach speed is not known, then the speed limit plus 10 mi/h is recommended. Studies show that most speed limits in general are 8-12 mi/h below the prevailing speed.

An additional 0.5 sec of yellow time should be considered for locations with significant truck traffic, significant population of older drivers

Yellow times less than recommended by this equation result in more red-light violations and higher crash rates.

Increasing yellow times that are shorter than recommended by this equation
has been show to reduce severe red-light related crashes. A 1 sec increase
in yellow time results in 40 percent decrease in severe red-light related
crashes.

Source: Bonneson, J.A., and K. Zimmerman. Development of Guidelines for
Identifying and Treating Locations with a Red-Light-Running Problem. Report
No. FHWA/TX-05/0-4196-2. Texas Department of Transportation, Austin, Texas,
September 2004.

A new NCHRP Project 3-95 will be conducting research to determined if the equation and parameter values are valid for all conditions. The results will be available in about 3 years.

slide 29

Improve Signal Timing

Retime signals to provide improved progression

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

Also a reasonably inexpensive countermeasure.

Also make mention of dilemma zone protection as a way to improve signal operations by reducing the likelihood that a driver will be caught in the dilemma zone at the onset of the yellow indication.

slide 30

Eliminate the Need to Stop

Use roundabouts where feasible.

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

From the FHWA Web site:

A roundabout is a one-way, circular intersection in which traffic flows around a center island. Roundabouts are designed to meet the needs of all road users—drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. A roundabout eliminates some of the conflicting traffic, such as left turns, which cause serious crashes at traditional intersections. Because roundabout traffic enters or exits only through right turns, the occurrence of severe crashes is substantially reduced. Small angle collisions that may occur as a result of a right-hand turn are typically less severe than other types of collisions.

Not all circular intersections are roundabouts. Many existing traffic circles or rotaries operate under different traffic rules and have experienced operational and safety problems.

The three safety design features of a roundabout are yield control of entering traffic; channelized approaches that deflect traffic into the proper one-way, counterclockwise flow; and geometric curvature of the circular road and angles of entry to slow the speed of vehicles. These three features are critical to the success of a roundabout because they effectively decrease driving speed to typically 30 miles per hour or less.

As outlined in the FHWA Guidance Memorandum on July 10, 2008:

Roundabouts are the preferred safety alternative for a wide range of intersections.

Although they may not be appropriate in all circumstances, they should be considered as an alternative for all proposed new intersections on Federally-funded highway projects, particularly those with major road volumes less than 90 percent of the total entering volume.

Roundabouts should also be considered for all existing intersections that have been identified as needing major safety or operational improvements. This would include freeway interchange ramp terminals and rural intersections.

red-light Cameras

As of September 2008, red-light cameras are used in approximately 370 communities in the U.S. This map represents all of the states that have at least one community with a red-light cameras (dark green). A complete list is maintained by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org).

New NCHRP project will be updating this information

Some key lessons learned:

Early planning:

Establish a Steering Committee.

Establish Program Objectives.

Identify the Legal Requirements.

Assess System Procurement Alternatives.

Establish Public Awareness and Information Campaign.

Sites selected for the installation of red-light camera systems should be based on accurate crash and red-light violations data.

Signs warning motorists that red-light cameras are being used are typically required by law or ordinance but, whether required or not, should be posted as part of the driver awareness and education process.

The installation of a red-light camera system at a signalized intersection identified as having a red-light running problem should be done when an engineering study of the intersection determines photo enforcement is an appropriate countermeasure to reduce the incidence of red-light running.

When red-light camera systems are in operation, law enforcement officials should place an emphasis on routine enforcement of traffic laws and regulations that require visible and unobstructed display of license plates.

The MUTCD and ITE recommended practice on the length of yellow interval times provides adequate and proper direction to practitioners. Yellow times should be established in accordance with the MUTCD (17) guidelines and the ITE (9) informational report for methods for calculating yellow time intervals.

An on-going public information and education campaign is needed to assure the motoring public that the red-light running camera program is being operated in the most effective, efficient, and fair manner possible.

slide 38

Education Countermeasures

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

Education countermeasures can be done in conjunction with both engineering and enforcement countermeasures.

These web sites can be accessed for further information on the material contained in this presentation.

speaker notes:

This is an approximately 1-hour presentation on the topic of red-light running (RLR). Topics covered include:

Nature of the problem

Definitions of RLR

Safety facts about RLR

Crash types associated with RLR

Documents available on intersection safety and RLR

Countermeasures for RLR problems

slide 2

Traffic Signals

There are at least 3 million intersections in the United States.

At least 300,000 are signalized.

speaker notes:

Major Points to Make:

These are very gross estimates. There is no nation-wide inventory of traffic signals. The point to make is that roughly 10% (but likely even less) of the intersections in the United States are signalized.

slide 3

Intersection Fatalities

There were 8,657 intersection fatalities in 2007.

speaker notes:

Major Points to Make:

Even though signalized intersections make up only 10% of intersections in the U.S., signalized intersections account for nearly a third of the fatalities that occur at intersections.

Source: FARS database, crashes classified as either "intersection" or "intersection-related"

slide 4

What is red-light Running?

Permissive yellow rule:

Driver can legally enter intersection during entire yellow interval

Violation occurs if driver enters intersection after
onset of red

Restrictive yellow rule:

Driver can neither enter nor be in intersection on red

Violation occurs if driver has not cleared intersection
after onset of red

speaker notes:

Major Points to Make:

Discussion opportunity. Ask the question before revealing the rest of the slide. Builds on one click.

Question: What is red-light Running?

Answer: Depends on the definition of what a yellow light means.

The permissive yellow rule is that stated in the MUTCD and Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC).

37 states + DC have laws in substantial conformity with the meaning of the yellow and red indications in the MUTCD and UVC. Another 9 states require motorists to stop on yellow but also drive cautiously through the intersection on the red if too close to stop safely.

The definition of a violation for permissive yellow is not technically correct depending how the term "intersection" is defined. According to the MUTCD and UVC, a violation occurs if the motorists crosses the stop line after onset of the red, or if none, the crosswalk, or if none the intersection.

Four states—LA, TN, RI, WV—prohibit vehicles from crossing the intersection on red. The laws in these four states are not in conformity with the meaning of the yellow and red indications specified in the MUTCD.

slide 5

Intersection Definition

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

A driver is running a red-light if his or her vehicle enters the red shaded area, after the light turns red. According to the MUTCD, the boundary for a red-light violation begins at the marked stop line. If there is no stop line, then the boundary begins at the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no crosswalk or stop line, the intersection begins at the extension of the curb line or roadway edge.

Some states are using the extension of the curb line to mark the boundary for red-light running regardless of whether there are stop lines or crosswalk. This practice is not consistent with the meaning of the red signal in the MUTCD.

Safety Facts About Red-Light Running

This graph shows the latest data available on red-light running crashes.

This data is estimated from federal crash data.

Crash data does not specifically isolate red-light running as a causal factor in a crash.

There appears to be a general trend downward in red-light running crashes for the data shown.

slide 8

Safety Facts About Red-Light Running

Red-light running crashes are more likely than other crashes to cause injury

On urban roads, fatal RLR crashes are more likely than other fatal crashes

Fatal RLR crashes are somewhat more likely to occur during the day

Source: Prevalence and Characteristics of red-light Running Crashes in the United States, Accident Analysis and Prevention, 1999

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

red-light running crashes have some characteristics that may not necessarily be true for other types of crashes.

This may seem obvious, but they happen at very specific locations (intersections with signals) as opposed to, say, rural run-off road crashes that can occur in an "infinite" number of locations.

slide 9

Types of Crashes

speaker notes:

Major Points to Make:

These are the three most common types of crashes associated with red-light running.

However, these types of crashes are not exclusively related to red-light running. Therefore, when investigating the causal factors of crashes, it is always important to review the police reports to determine what may have caused the crash.

Depending on the crash type and causal factor(s), different countermeasures may be applicable.

slide 10

Red-Light Running Studies

4% of Americans reported running red-lights

1% run them "often"

3% run them "sometimes"

97% of drivers feel that other drivers running red-lights are a major safety threat

1 in 3 people claim they personally know someone injured or killed in a red-light running crash

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

A lot of research has been done in recent years focusing on red-light running.

Types of Red-Light Runners

In general engineering countermeasures should help address the unintentional violations and enforcement countermeasures should help address the intentional violations.

slide 12

Effective Programs

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

This is probably the most important slide of the whole presentation.

To truly be successful in combating a red-light running problem, a holistic (comprehensive) approach must be taken.

To just focus on one aspect is not a good approach and will likely fail.

However, it should be mentioned that looking at "engineering" countermeasures should always be a step taken before increased enforcement. The point is that there should be a plan that takes into account all three aspects.

slide 14

The First Step

The first step to addressing red-light running is to conduct a thorough
field review.

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

This is the first step to addressing a concern at a particular intersection.
The step before this would be to identify intersections that are candidates
for reducing red-light running. There are numerous methods for identifying
candidate locations that are not addressed in this presentation. This type
of analysis will be dependent on crash data that the local jurisdiction has
access to.

The engineer responsible for the intersection should always conduct a thorough on-site review of the intersection prior to the jurisdiction increasing enforcement.

Intersection Safety Resources

NCHRP Report 500 Volume 12

Guide sheets

Safety Strategies brochure

Signalized Intersections: Informational Guide

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

FHWA has numerous resources available to help traffic and transportation engineers analyze intersections from a safety viewpoint. The documents shown in the slide are just examples (there are plenty more).

Web sites will be shown at the end of the presentation.

Many are free to download from the Internet.

slide 15

Red-Light Running Resources

red-light Camera Systems: Operational Guidelines

Making Intersections Safer: A Toolbox...

Field Guide for Inspecting Signalized Intersections...

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

FHWA has numerous resources available to help traffic and transportation engineers analyze intersections from a safety viewpoint. The documents shown in the slide are just examples (there are plenty more).

Web sites will be shown at the end of the presentation.

These are downloadable in HTML and PDF formats.

slide 16

Engineering Countermeasures

Improve signal visibility

Improve line of sight

Improve signal conspicuity

Increase likelihood of stopping

Improve signal timing

Eliminate the need to stop

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

There are numerous engineering countermeasures that can be implemented.
Countermeasures should be selected carefully in order that they address the
types of crashes that are occurring.

The LONG version of this presentation goes into very specific details about
all of these types of countermeasures.

Photos are examples of various countermeasures. Clockwise from upper right:

Increasing likelihood of stopping by installing advanced flashers

Eliminate need to stop by constructing roundabouts

Improve signal timing by ensuring yellow intervals are timed properly

Improve signal visibility by installing one signal head per approach lane

slide 17

The Next Step

Follow up countermeasures with observation

Number of red-light runners can be surrogate for improved safety

If unsuccessful, look towards enforcement countermeasures

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

Engineers need to observe traffic behavior to see if any engineering countermeasures implemented were helpful in reducing RLR.

Doesn't make sense to wait for 2-3 years of crash data to come through, so simply recording number of red-light runners can serve as a surrogate for the more typical safety measures.

slide 18

Enforcement Countermeasures

Increased enforcement

Enforcement assistance lights

Automated enforcement

speaker notes:

Major points to make:

If engineering countermeasures are unsuccessful at reducing red-light running,
enforcement countermeasures may need to be implemented.

The LONG version of this presentation goes into very specific details about
all of these types of countermeasures.